Two recent reports (below) highlight the necessity of rare earth for alternative energy production. Unfortunately the mining of these elements, mainly in China, come at a heavy environmental and human cost.
"Some of the greenest technologies of the age, from electric cars to efficient light bulbs to very large wind turbines, are made possible by an unusual group of elements called rare earths. The world’s dependence on these substances is rising fast. Just one problem: These elements come almost entirely from China, from some of the most environmentally damaging mines in the country, in an industry dominated by criminal gangs." From the New York Times, Dec. 25, 2009 (complete article)
"It doesn't look very green. Rare earth processing in China is a messy, dangerous, polluting business. It uses toxic chemicals, acids, sulfates, ammonia. The workers have little or no protection. But, without rare earth, Copenhagen means nothing. You buy a Prius hybrid car and think you're saving the planet. But each motor contains a kilo of neodymium and each battery more than 10 kilos of lanthanum, rare earth elements from China." From Lindsey Hilsum of Independent Television News shown on the PBS Newshour Dec. 14, 2009 (video and transcript of this report)
